Home Improvements: Built-in removal and painting!

Back in May, Robyn and I got the bright idea to remove some of the built-in shelving/cupboards in our TV/Computer room. The shelves appeared to be made of scrap wood and were somewhat flimsy; if you pulled on the bottom left corner, the unit pulled away from the wall.

Let's start with what they looked like originally:

[pe2-image src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmhyphenhyphena9X4rfxcqBdzQr3zLByQ0g4ID9wPZrQIBi-wW8asGpaJV1UMLQ9GWDONKzjdFaCJ3qdQu22fs-JihmNbeMsPqXgF4OLYg7qLyFuI0HpfeSnP_SZo4Zbjy8UkRom2NCRgY/s144-c-o/1290694135650.jpg" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105981302809309990752/HomeImprovements#5897311315979325810" caption="" type="image" alt="1290694135650.jpg" ]

Not the best picture, but you get the idea.

 

I thought that this would mean the shelves were sitting on top of the floor, and would be easy to remove...

Oh, how wrong I was...

The first thing I noticed, is that taking them apart was not easy; each piece was connected to the next piece by about 6-10 nails that did not exactly line up. I also made note that pieces that would have made sense as one piece were in fact several, and some pieces that would have made sense as multiple were one, oddly shaped piece.

I went about demolishing the shelves for the better part of an afternoon, when I made the discovery that changed my mood from optimistic to, "well, that is unexpected."

[pe2-image src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwpcOIkKFcy_NDiRwujMOlNmjJP4Kx7_-qeOCqllrvIqv9sD-XuFtxcgc3Qpot34yldy3Bt6gsKHukVRC5G8Howd74v9VXE70TwRMQmUNxKBvc0AwbHvT4wnP4kxMJQ8eFp-y/s144-c-o/20130527_132219.jpg" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105981302809309990752/HomeImprovements#5897308724102639730" caption="" type="image" alt="20130527_132219.jpg" ]

 I had just pulled the bottom of the lowest shelf, and was greeted by this. In case you can't tell, it is sub flooring, not the nice, hardwood floor I was expecting.

I had already removed 70% of the unit, there was no turning back. [pe2-image src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCJWQqpKSiD1rmWLGquMUmSGRNnhNE-3FICTrW5CxSoGOTyPy6UF6cEeYS5iL0S4uoxJkamZbOUrT1JGgkL49zG5JAlO0Nn2VXMF6LkewFkldpmyMEYrBPAXTGQNCtxqCTGUP/s144-c-o/20130527_132203.jpg" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105981302809309990752/HomeImprovements#5897308725721306866" caption="" type="image" alt="20130527_132203.jpg" ]

A slightly better picture of the shelves. This side, was not connected to the wall...

[pe2-image src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnyMs7UHYZmyzH6f6gfbXdZcBSWlR_gwts3C4uK8JEwMEXSKHXMBX_1WLhfk03ilqG-HaxOJN7CDCCM-EcWGY4mvCdB2KNaY7YnGz-9NhkPVhTEFuzeGbqSVZn-sUzvIl10MV/s144-c-o/20130527_132211%2525280%252529.jpg" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105981302809309990752/HomeImprovements#5897308726804055586" caption="" type="image" alt="20130527_132211(0).jpg" ]

The corner where the floor to ceiling cupboards used to live. I dig the avocado green!

[pe2-image src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpywJQuqr_M7KZ0daajV84i8rMRMd7F1oKtJJM-zfTt5M-aLyihWK-2SmZ1F7e4-XKZq5QLpqRQFf_mA7DcME19LEP39gDxr5mgNmJ3QM6pjLowFmNoSOnNYWOdNPOdYQO4Gw/s144-c-o/20130527_132242.jpg" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105981302809309990752/HomeImprovements#5897308724455755426" caption="" type="image" alt="20130527_132242.jpg" ]

Again, the floor was not where I wanted it.

Robyn and I racked our brains on what to do. We decided to not worry about that, and continue the removal, and think about it, since we weren't going  to clean up as nicely as we thought.

Then, some time later, Robyn came up with a brilliant idea; Turn the 12' by 19" non-wood floor into an accent piece. Our current plan is to put down some white tile with a border of Robin's Egg blue tile, running up the sides and along the front. Then, we will take our two handmade bookcases, and use them to flank our Wall mounted TV. We will have to get some sort of cabinet for the wireless router/Media equipment, but we had a plan!

Along with the floor, we obviously needed to do something about the paint.

We decided to take a trip to Lowes on Independence Day and pick out our new wall color. We couldn't find an exact Robin's Egg blue, but we found one that was close.

A few dozen spackle patches later, and we were ready to prime the walls where the cabinets had been.

Before...

[pe2-image src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bvNhlIcVJ-Ci0FChS9P0xPmdk1dNcZ-wOQDrVutsEvIMDiKI3XEXZDqFluF4A9L0kK0LCKMcsymI7h5XQdvdU5WfmiXA43F2jeDGquBFerpfO99ONmwbFJFPJcRXEnDMS2-L/s144-c-o/20130704_125522.jpg" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105981302809309990752/HomeImprovements#5897308723875323602" caption="" type="image" alt="20130704_125522.jpg" ] [pe2-image src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohvyyTSA6NCCWveH0YEvzeDrTGdF5EmVSHFrdtO4gxqN8334gzz19_QG04z37Ip3BOsvJdqRUE1gJtu2iOrwyW67dwbDqJ1ZvxiEtwtXK4yF4V1j3zJAp5Eddut4nNqzet5U6/s144-c-o/20130704_125528.jpg" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105981302809309990752/HomeImprovements#5897308724982923794" caption="" type="image" alt="20130704_125528.jpg" ] [pe2-image src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCdBx-IJzmjt_ib2dloxfea1Fi97wAIO2t0EZQWGOVYvuPj4u6xIMAVf__tmwAydLbgF-KPG5oQqoE3oahsbI96p2-txGQiVE27MrlkcbzNk5G7sy_hFWy0WooDXJTI-X4v4W/s144-c-o/IMG_20130704_125542.jpg" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105981302809309990752/HomeImprovements#5897308725242977250" caption="" type="image" alt="IMG_20130704_125542.jpg" ]

I even had a helper!

[pe2-image src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wwz9sQMZp_hDMJhvOdVteM6YHNnhEdPXab-Ce9E5dg3d_P8BrrdduAE67cIfdg_6XiKNuQoGcglyIWPiTSsmN2HI6p04rNpFaMy0lKxQeGNZ-DKhyphenhyphenm6Pvm7-HjoSTKERifiY/s144-c-o/IMG_20130704_134722.jpg" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105981302809309990752/HomeImprovements#5897308725724076178" caption="" type="image" alt="IMG_20130704_134722.jpg" ]
[pe2-image src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCAuVzG1FA9hmRR1TW7oXHaARItYPc00OyBly2D5pb_OalpDLSC68x2a12XIA05At2l9Zz4ATLzpiPABjmVgaw2epPLyP20MlU2X1nbh4JSyOLtpVYP0ybXOK0V23ctuf2sIy/s144-c-o/20130704_134824.jpg" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105981302809309990752/HomeImprovements#5897308724552581106" caption="" type="image" alt="20130704_134824.jpg" ]

..or two!

[pe2-image src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JP0Nt_iIPutrFHQkJujv67H2kaSgUBWyqP533UJOreqrJE8zUms767TxUs051O2eFlMACplzh8j9mRYjipYyib4-SH-L1_G6XgrttVdtnZutC-r10lOIoqR_BDImw7arg64N/s144-c-o/20130704_134834.jpg" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105981302809309990752/HomeImprovements#5897308724948849682" caption="" type="image" alt="20130704_134834.jpg" ]

 

 

While we couldn't paint over the primer that day, we did manage to paint about 50% of the room. I wasn't sure about the color before, but after it was on the walls, I really liked how it looked!

 

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 Those two pictures don't really do the color the justice, but you can start to see it.

Today, we went full steam ahead after I got home from work, and got the other walls painted. Two hours later, we had the walls done, and even were able to go back and touch up some of the painting from yesterday.

[pe2-image src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWz42X5fj7F5twkCqLrULCaSIHN8wvsckg9sJYDYxQrBw2h4MTO5-tKaU9OBFWK8ZNiCg2plROXbMhamdmpQ2hv4DkWsWW_7CWnfkLfLG4UryExyVon30IjNS0xM8C5_7WEwyi/s144-c-o/20130705_155211.jpg" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105981302809309990752/HomeImprovements#5897308725327965442" caption="" type="image" alt="20130705_155211.jpg" ] [pe2-image src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnp166mDcUjKfevXspp3U140EM6yoh2eXaze3hTq0kvk9SfjbYNNVO0ENrjvO7NB7AkVJg15k2TkU8Nii95ZNbEpV4e3IVM7b5_XkjHwQ9f9XUvCudxlVczkSxWtiIh9Sm0vl/s144-c-o/20130705_155229.jpg" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105981302809309990752/HomeImprovements#5897308725135203394" caption="" type="image" alt="20130705_155229.jpg" ] [pe2-image src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSZ9FpLHwQR0-sjCTLYH6KrF8VNNzz8ZaJNIMEl0XTbdLUqZNpI0gHq47GD1lcCCIqij6vPkazWS1w1DT3ovwsR5UXqJ5_t0p057rh4CZLfg5IdJ7YPQuhFfeKKVZBGpwtXM-/s144-c-o/20130705_155229_HDR.jpg" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105981302809309990752/HomeImprovements#5897308727704142450" caption="" type="image" alt="20130705_155229_HDR.jpg" ]

Now, all that's left to do is pick out the tiles, order the tiles, remount the TV, find a cabinet, and put the room back together!

We're practically done! :)

Hooray!

I just upgraded to the GS 3 due to my DroidX finally biting the dust.

Wish it could have waited for a little while longer, but so far I am loving the GS3.

Anya and Quinn

What a great big sister!

Golden raisin soda bread

So good! 

More like a confectionery treat than bread, but very tasty!

Mountain Lion:

I decided to do a dumb thing: I'm going to run OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion on my main machine to see how well it holds up.

I was having a few issues with Lion, and figured it was time to wipe anyway and reinstall.  Since we have access to the Developer's preview, I thought "What the heck?" and loaded it up.

Install went smoothly, and most applications are working as expected.  The only one that isn't working right is Apple Remote Desktop, but that doesn't really surprise me: Lion didn't work right with ARD for some time.

It's three days in, and so far, not too bad.  We'll see as time goes on.

 

WordPress mobile app

Wow...the new WordPress mobile application is pretty nice.

Anyway,  here is a cute picture of Anya in a crown!

Resolutions for 2012

So, it has definitely been awhile since I last blogged. I wish there was an epically awesome reason, but there hasn't been. Work has been steady busy, and we've been prepping the house for baby #2. I guess that would fall under epically awesome.

Anyway, here is my list of personal goals for the coming year:

1. double the number of races to four.


2. read a book a month.


3. decide on, and apply for masters program


4. hit stable weight of 160, currently 162-163


5. finish painting the two rooms upstairs....lame but doable :)


6. travel to visit old friends.


7. get out and be more social


8. organize more stuff at home and let go of some of the old things.

There, I think that should do it.

Holiday Newsletter!

Robyn and I just wrote up our year in review.

http://markpeterson.net/christmas/holiday-newsletters/holiday-newsletter-2011/

Happy New Year!

TURDUCKEN!

Since we were going to host Christmas Dinner this year, I decided to go "all in" on dinner and make the ultimate over indulgent Main course: TURDUCKEN!

We stopped by the Butcher the week before to order the birds.  There was a small piece of me that hoped they could bone the birds for me.  Unfortunately, they told me I was out of luck.

The birds were picked up the Friday before Christmas (Christmas Eve Eve) and left in the fridge overnight.  Saturday Morning (Christmas Eve) would become "boning day."

First up was the Turkey.  This was the hardest task as it still needed to look nice for presentation.  The saving grace was that it was also the biggest bird.  about 30 minutes later, I had a Turkey with only drumsticks and wings still attached.

The Duck was next, and took slightly longer as it was also the first of the completely boned birds.  The drumsticks went fairly smoothly, but I just cut off the wings: that would have been insanely hard and left me with not much meat to show for it.

Finally, I tackled the chicken.  This took about 15 and was probably the best boned bird of the bunch.  Again, I just cut off the wings and saved them for a dinner to be named later.  Three birds boned in under two hours, not bad!

Next came the stuffing and sewing together.  I made what I thought was a generous amount of stuffing...but apparently not!  I placed the turkey breast down on the cutting board to stuff it.  After laying the stuffing 1/4" thick, I realized I did not have enough.  Who would have though 6 cups of bread crumbs would not make enough stuffing!  I had to skimp on the next layers, but it probably worked out for the best as I'm not sure my family are huge stuffing fans.

Robyn helped me sew this monstrosity shut.  I made the executive decision to NOT flip the bird back over so the breast was on the top, which I am slightly still kicking myself for.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Pre-sewed Turducken"][/caption]

From Dec 2011

I took the over 25 pounds of meat and put in the oven for 5 hours...NOT.  LONG.  ENOUGH.  The recipe said that it should take only 3...Paula Deen, why did you lie to me!?

We ended up Cutting the bird into Thirds to encourage the final 10 degrees to show up, which they did.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400" caption="Upside down Finished Turducken."][/caption]

From Dec 2011

 

Final Verdict: DELICIOUS.

It was quite a bit of work, but given the right circumstances (like a holiday : ) ) I would do this again.

I would definitely allot for more cooking time and try to bring them together the day before.

 

 

 

I love my daughter..

Turkey Trot: AWESOME

The Turkey Trot was great this year.

I started out the day by participating in the 40th Annual Turkey Trot.  I chose to run the 2.5 mile "fun run" instead of the "serious" 4.4 miler.

Considering I run 3 miles every day, I was more worked up than I anticipated.  It probably had something to do with the OVER 4800 RUNNERS that were there!

I rode my bike over to the race since it was less than 2 miles away and since it was a beautiful day, I had a hard time convincing myself NOT to bike.  I arrived just about an hour before my race.

I couldn't believe the number of people and the energy of the event!  Several speakers setup for music and race announcements, tents for check in, dozens of port-a-potties, Race bag drop off, and crates of apples from the local orchard.  Amazing.  The MC was welcoming the runners and their families, and directing people to the correct starting lines.  She also made sure to alert the runners that the finish line in the park was "a little muddy" and to be careful.

The 4.4 mile race began down the road from the 2.5 start line.  Looking down at runners made me feel like I was staring down a charging army of Mordor...

I ran into a few people I know from work and from my past who were also running in the 2.5. It was exciting to see them, but I was slightly paralyzed and didn't converse as much as I wanted to: Partly because I assumed their body language was that of Cordiality.  So it goes.

After the 4.4 participants ran by the 2.5 start line, the rest of the fun runners began to line up.  There were several Pilgrims, indians, and Turkeys lined up: I even saw two Thanksgiving Dinner tables lined up!  The announcer pumped up the crowd with primal grunts interspersed with directions on where to go: If you are running get in the road, otherwise get out of the road.

He screamed go, and everyone took off.  Families hugged the right side to allow the "serious" (read 10-year-old kids) runners by.  I started out fairly conservatively in the middle of the pack.  shortly after the first turn, I realized I needed to pick up the pace just to get into stride with my daily rhythm.

Soon after that, I caught up with the serious squads who were all walking and breathing heavy.  I smiled and gave a little chuckle towards their excitement and enthusiasm.

After another turn or two, the 2.5 milers merged with the 4.4 milers.  As we approached the park, I recalled the earlier warning of a slightly muddy finish line.  As we ran up past the tennis courts, I saw the wooded trail that led down to the finish line.  As I started my decent, I noticed the lack of mud.  "Well, this isn't too bad." I thought.  The more interesting part of the hill was avoiding the roots and damp leaves.

Reaching the bridge I turned right towards the home stretch and glanced at the finish line: The ground before it was reflecting a bit of light...

.."slightly muddy" apparently means "One giant puddle that stretches about 200 feet out from the finish line."  I initially tried to avoid the puddle, but soon realized there was no denying I was going to get wet...and muddy...very wet and muddy.  I picked up the pace and began to sprint to the finish.  I looked at the clock as I crossed the line.  It read over 28 minutes, which seemed really wrong.  Turns out, that was the 4.4 clock.

I paced around, drinking several glasses of water before starting the climb back up the hill to grab my bike.  I got home, showered and got ready to spend the rest of the day with great family.

I checked the race site after getting home from dinner to see how I did: 19:03 and second in my Age Class!  The first place in my age was about 16 minutes...so I've got some training to do for next year!  And I do plan on running next year...maybe as a bowl of Mashed Potatoes...

 

Getting ready.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It is one of the holidays where families get together to enjoy a good meal and each other's company without the obligation of purchasing a gift.

I want Christmas to be like that. I think I say that now because I can't afford to buy expensive gifts for everyone in my family.

There has always been this part of me that wants to have a homemade Christmas. The kind where you get together early in the morning to prepare to Christmas dinner, hang out for the day drinking coffee, and eventually wine...just soaking in the time together.  Then, once we've had a little time to digest, open homemade presents that have real feeling behind them.  I'm not saying you can't have an emotional response to a new drill, but I just have a feeling opening a box of homemade cookies, bread, or handmade candle might give a slightly more personal, moving response...

I think that's what I want, but if given the opportunity, would I do it?  it's hard when you have kids to get out the door for an entire day.  I know Anya doesn't really sleep/nap well anywhere but in her bed.  Couple that with even if she did sleep, there might be too much noise to stay asleep.

Homemade gifts are harder not only because you essentially have an "amateur" making the gift, it then has to be something the person wants.  It isn't hard to do, but requires to actually KNOW the person.

Do they like chocolate chip cookies, but LOVE chocolate Chip with walnut cookies?

What if they don't bake properly?  What if the Candle turns an undesirable color?  What if?  What if?

That's the issue I'm facing, the "what if" dilemma.  I want to make and give gifts people will LOVE, not just like.  I WANT to know them well enough to make something they will fondly remember, and (not so secretly) hope they receive again next year, or something very similar.

 

Maybe some year, we'll do that...maybe.

Almost forgot!

I haven't posted a link to the Baby Peterson 2.0 album on Picasa yet.  So, here is the link!

Baby Peterson 2.0

And then there was three...

Tons to move that is!

Since both the Bills and Vikings games were depressing, I made two quick back-to-back trips to TSC and managed to get one ton of pellets in my garage in under an hour.

Stacking said ton took about as long.

I am now tired.  I also realized that I don't have the room to store too many more bags there.

Maybe I can make a run once a month to get the remainder, or get another pallet to put another Ton in the basement.

At least for now, we have over 50 bags in the basement.  That should get us through the holidays...I hope!

A good way to move 4 tons by yourself...

That is my current dilemma.

I have 4 tons of pellets on four pallets waiting for me to pickup at the local TSC.

The manager there has been kind enough to let me keep them there, but that might not always be the case.

I need to come up with a way to move those four tons from TSC to our house, about a 7 mile trip.

Here is how it works now:

1. Open pallet, and take half of the pallet (25 bags) and load them into the back of my Sonoma.


2. Drive 7 miles home.


3. Take 25 bags and stack them on pallet in the basement/outside.


4. Repeat.

This way is the easiest from a logistical point of view: I only need to have the time move 1000 pounds around.

Grabbing the pellets this way would mean another EIGHT trips to TSC to bring the pellets home.

That is a lot of trips, and a lot of man power (from me).  The other thing with this plan means the pallets need to be opened, which means they are no longer sealed from the elements.  If I continue this way, I would need to store all the pellets in the basement and/or garage.  I like the idea of having the pellets still sealed during the winter.  If I don't pick up the pellets until January, they are just sitting outside in the elements anyway...

Here's my ideal situation:

1. Fork lift the 4 tons into a truck.


2. Drive truck 7 miles.


3. Use another fork lift to get them off the truck.


4. Store pellet pallets on the backside of my house.


5. Move pallets inside one at time.

The only issue with this plan is I do not have a Fork lift..

I could rent a pallet jack, but the wheel width would be too wide for a normal rental truck loading ramp.

I guess a makeshift ramp could be constructed...

This now adds ~$100 to the price.  Not a deal breaker by any stretch, but I'm not a big fan of spending MORE money if it can be avoided.

I want to find a solution that is easy for me to do without having to rely on several friends to come help move my solid fuel source.  I'd also like to find a solution that isn't dependent on my truck, as it is now approaching 12 years old...I'm not sure how long Vera will be with us (hopefully 2-3 years).

I'm thinking about delivery services for next year.  I would need a pellet chute and a place to store them.

I smell a new spring project!

As far as my remaining 4 tons, anyone have an idea?

Stove Update: still rocking!

Ever since the last time I "fixed" the seal, the stove has been running great: The temperature in the house has hovered above 75 even when outside it is below freezing!

The only issue I have is I need to remember to fill the stove before bed!  Two mornings I've woken up without heat on...

 

I smell a calendar entry coming!

Should I be scared?

Anya watching Dora

You know it is going to be a good day

When you walk into work and have voicemail from half of your staff saying they will be out...

Whatever is going around is kicking my team's butt.  Not good!

 

Another day of one tech, and one manager trying to do the work of 5...

Finally Scheduled!

Well, it only took two months, three or four visits from the sales consultant, two visits from the technician who will be doing the work, and one office visit, but we finally have dates for our home insulation installation!

 

They say it will take six days to do all the work, which doesn't sound too bad.

Here's a rundown of what we're having done:

• Blow in insulation into attic space above kitchen and pantry


• Blow in insulation into attic space above the office and stove room


• Blow in insulation into attic space above the second floor bedrooms


• Installing Soffit vents and baffles in Attic space above kitchen and pantry


• Sealing the rim joists in the basement


• Blowing insulation underneath the Kitchen


• Blowing insulation into the walls on the north side of the house*

*Not sure if this will actually be done, as we discovered on the south side that the walls are an odd construction.

This all begins on December 5th, and should finish on the 12th.  Hooray for properly sealed house!

Gutters are NOT fun.

I had to buy a ladder today to clean my front gutters.

Apparently a 16' ladder is adequate, but i should have sprung for the 20'.

 

Picking wet, heavy leaves out of your gutters is not as much fun as it sounds.  It doesn't help that while you are perched upon said ladder you are convinced that the next scoop will be the scoop that topples you off the ladder.

I survived, and my gutters are clean.

Take that front trees!

I also installed two emergency overflow pipes; one on my water heater and one on my hopefully-not-going-to-turn-this-on-at-all boiler.

Now to relax, and muster up the will to rake my front yard, again.